Composite armor material

Abstract

The invention disclosed relates to a composite armor material comprising an outer ballistic impact resistant layer of a steel material having a Rockwell “C” scale hardness of 47-54, and an inner blast resistant steel layer having a fracture toughness of 3.6-6.5 J/mm, and a Rockwell “C” scale hardness of 28-36.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A composite armor material comprising, an outer ballistic impact resistant,layer of a steel material having a Rockwell “C” scale hardness of 47-54, and an inner blast resistant steel layer having a fracture toughness of 3.6-6.5 J/mm and a Rockwell “C” scale hardness of 28-36, wherein the inner and outer layers are bonded together. 
     
     
       2. A material according to claim  1 , wherein the inner and outer layers are bonded together with a synthetic resin bonder between the inner and outer layers. 
     
     
       3. A material according to claim  2 , wherein the bonder is a polysulfide-based material having a tensile strength of >1.38 Mpa. 
     
     
       4. A material according to claim  2 , wherein the bonder is a polyurethane-based material having a tensile strength of >6.89 Mpa. 
     
     
       5. A material according to claim  1 , further comprising a layer of a composite of high tensile fibers laminated together with a ductile polymer binder, held in place adjacent to the inner layer by mechanical fasteners, such that in use the material will stretch to trap shrapnel which penetrates the inner layer. 
     
     
       6. A material according to claim  5 , wherein the composite has an aerial density of about 4.9 kg/m 2 . 
     
     
       7. A material according to claim  1 , further comprising an outermost layer of a ballistic impact resistant steel material having a Rockwell C hardness of 47-54, wherein the layers are held together by welding. 
     
     
       8. A material according to claim  1 , further comprising an outermost layer of a composite applique material, said applique material comprising two layers of mild steel, sandwiching a middle layer of ceramic tiles bonded in place by an adhesive. 
     
     
       9. A material according to claim  1 , wherein the outer ballistic steel layer has a Rockwell “C” scale hardness of 49-51, and the inner impact resistant steel has a Rockwell “C” scale hardness of 28-30 and a fracture toughness of 5.4-6.5 J/mm.